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St. Vincent Catholic Charities (STVCC) is pleased to announce the 13th annual Operation Backpack campaign, a back-to-school backpack and school supply drive to provide children in need with the necessary materials to learn. This year, with Delta Dental as the presenting sponsor and the addition of Capital Area District Libraries, Operation Backpack hopes to provide 1,000 donated backpacks to children who would be unable to purchase new supplies. The campaign runs from July 19 – August 18, where donations will be collected by five community partners across the Greater Lansing area.

The month-long campaign is co-chaired by philanthropists Lupe Izzo & Brig Sorber. In addition to Delta Dental’s presenting sponsorship, community sponsors include WILX TV-10, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Capital Area District Libraries, and Buffalo Wild Wings. Capitol National Bank and RE/MAX Real Estate also return as community partners.

“I’ve been involved with this campaign from the beginning,” remarked Lupe Izzo. “It’s been amazing to see this program evolve over the years, especially as we continue to focus on the importance and need of individual students. But what really means the most is how joyful the kids are when they unzip the backpacks and smile as they start looking through their new supplies.”

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, under Executive Chairman Brig Sorber, will be donating boxes to collect backpacks and school supplies at each location. Operation Backpack is one of several programs Brig supports in Greater Lansing including serving on the Board of Directors for STVCC and Volunteers of America. Additionally, Capital Area District Libraries are donating library cards to be placed in each backpack.

“Operation Backpack is one of our most popular community collection campaigns,” shared STVCC CEO Andrea Seyka. “It not only helps our local families and parents, but it shows our children that they live in a community that cares about their education.”